photo

Peter Doll

Projects

12

Publications

20

Awards

11

Biography

Dr Peter Doll is a Biologist and Research Fellow in the College of Science and Engineering at James Cook University (JCU). His research centres on the biology and ecology of coral reef organisms, particularly echinoderms, fishes and corals. Peter teaches undergraduate and postgraduate courses MB3190 & MB5190 (Coral Reef Ecology) and supervises PhD and Research Masters students at JCU and the Australian Institute of Marine Science.

Research

Research Interests

1. Effects of major disturbances (e.g., mass coral bleaching, COTS outbreaks) on reef ecosystems
2. Larval settlement and recruitment of marine invertebrates, particularly echinoderms
3. Impacts of climate/environmental change on marine organisms and ecosystems
4. Biology, ecology and management of crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS)

Projects
AIMS@JCU Pilot Research Funding
David Yellowlees Excellence in Research Award 2022
Novel methods for crown-of-thorns starfish management to contain emerging outbreaks in the Lizard Island region
15 Jan 2025 - 31 Mar 2026
Coral bleaching assessment 2024 in northern Great Barrier Reef
01 Mar 2024 - 01 May 2024
Spatiotemporal variation in settlement rates of crown-of-thorns starfish on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef: critical research to underpin understanding and management of impending population irruptions (Old ID 27784)
24 Aug 2022 - 30 Jun 2023
Molecular-based method for the quantification of in situ crown-of-thorns starfish settlement rates (Old ID 27772)
13 May 2022 - 13 May 2023
Quantifying predation rates on CoTS relative to fisheries management zones and corresponding differences in abundance of putative predators (Old ID 27504)
01 Jan 2022 - 30 Jun 2024
In situ feeding rates of crown-of-thorns starfish and fate of prey corals (Old ID 27494)
01 Jan 2022 - 30 Jun 2024
Pre-outbreak monitoring of the density, distribution and size-structure of crown-of-thorns starfish (CoTS) in the Great Barrier Reef (Old ID 27501)
01 Jan 2021 - 01 Jun 2024
Effective sampling of Acanthaster cf. solaris to provide early-warning of new and renewed outbreaks (Old ID 26779)
01 Jun 2020 - 31 May 2022
Effective sampling of Acanthaster cf. solaris to provide early-warning of new and renewed outbreaks (Old ID 26779)
01 Jun 2020 - 31 May 2022
Processes and patterns in larval settlement of crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster cf. solaris)
30 Mar 2020 - 06 Aug 2023

Teaching

Research Advisor Accreditation
Advisor Type

Primary

Taught Modules
[MB5190] Coral Reef EcologyLecturer
2024
[MB3190] Coral Reef EcologyLecturer
2024
[MB3190] Coral Reef EcologyTutor
2023
[MB5190] Coral Reef EcologyTutor
2023
Current JCU Research Students
Synergistic effects of climate-induced coral bleaching and coral feeding by crown-of-thorns starfish on corals and coral assemblages on the Great Barrier Reef
Master of Philosophy (Natural and Physical Sciences)
Changes in Biology and Behaviour of Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster cf. solaris) with Increasing Densities and Decreasing Food Availability
Doctor of Philosophy (Natural and Physical Sciences)
Current Honours and External Research Students
Spatial and taxonomic patterns in hard coral mortality following the 2024 mass bleaching on Australia's Great Barrier Reef
RESEARCH_MASTERS- 2024
Bleaching susceptibility and post-bleaching mortality in juvenile corals on the Great Barrier Reef
RESEARCH_MASTERS- 2024
Differential bleaching effects on octocoral communities along the Great Barrier Reef
RESEARCH_MASTERS- 2024
Completed Honours and External Research Students
Variation in relative predation rates on western Pacific crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster cf. solaris) relative to biomass of putative fish predators on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef
RESEARCH_MASTERS
Feeding selectivity and growth in herbivorous juvenile Acanthaster cf. solaris
RESEARCH_MASTERS
Effects of herbivorous juvenile diet on growth and the timing of the ontogenetic diet shift to corallivory in crown-of-thorns sea stars
RESEARCH_MASTERS

Activities

Education
PhD in Natural and Physical Sciences (Discipline of Ecology and Evolution), James Cook University
2020 - 2024
Bachelor of Science (Honours) Class I, James Cook University
2014 - 2018
Associations
International Coral Reef Society (ICRS) 2023 Life Member
2020
Australian Marine Sciences Association (AMSA)
2020
Australian Coral Reef Society (ACRS)
2020
COTS Control Innovation Program (CCIP)
2020 - 2024
The Linnean Society of London
2025
Awards
David Yellowlees Excellence in Research Award
2022
ACRS Research Award
2022
AMSA NQ Conference Award
2022
Allen Award (national AMSA Award)
2022
Academic Medal (JCU)
2018
CSE Dean's Recognition of Academic Excellence Letter
2017
CSE Dean's Recognition of Academic Excellence Letter
2018
JCU Postgraduate Research Scholarship
2020
ARC CoE Research Grant Support Scholarship
2022
JCU Faculty/School Scholarship
2023
2024 Dean's Award for Higher Degree Research Excellence
2025
Employment
Research Fellow, College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University
2023 - 2026
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University
2023 - 2023
Doctoral Researcher, Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies
2020 - 2023
Research Assistant, Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies
2019 - 2020
Visiting Researcher, Australian Institute of Marine Science
2020 - 2024
Committees
CCIP Prediction Subprogram Working Group
2020 - 2024
Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (JEDI) Committee
2020 - 2023
Australian Marine Sciences Association (AMSA) NQ Committee
2021

Output

Processes and patterns in larval settlement of crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster cf. solaris)
2023
Doll, Peter C. (2023) Processes and patterns in larval settlement of crown-of-thorns starfish (Acant. [Thesis] [DOI] ...
Other Publication Open Access ResearchOnline@JCU
Scooter-assisted large area diver-based (SALAD) visual surveys to test for renewed outbreaks of crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster cf. solaris) in the northern Great Barrier Reef
2022
Pratchett, Morgan S.; Caballes, Ciemon F.; Burn, Deborah; Doll, Peter C.; Chandler, Josie F.; Doyle,...
Other Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
Coral Sea Marine Park Coral Reef Health Survey 2021: Report on reef surveys February 2021
2021
Hoey, A.S.; Harrison, H.; McClure, E.C.; Burn, D.; Barnett, A.; Cresswell, B.; Doll, P.C.; Galbraith...
Other Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
Feeding preferences and growth in herbivorous juvenile crown-of-thorns sea stars (Acanthaster cf. solaris)
2025
Jensen, Karl; Doll, Peter C.; Gomez Cabrera, Maria C.; Diaz-Pulido, Guillermo; Logan, Murray; Uthick...
Journal Publication Open Access ResearchOnline@JCU
Predicting 3D and 2D surface area of corals from simple field measurements
2024
Chandler, Josie F.; Figueira, Will F.; Burn, Deborah; Doll, Peter C.; Johandes, Abby; Piccaluga, Agu...
Journal Publication Open Access ResearchOnline@JCU
eDNA monitoring detects new outbreak wave of corallivorous seastar (Acanthaster cf. solaris) at Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef
2024
Uthicke, Sven; Doyle, Jason R.; Gomez Cabrera, Maria; Patel, Frances; McLatchie, Madi J.; Doll, Pete...
Journal Publication Open Access ResearchOnline@JCU
Of Clams and Clades: Genetic Diversity and Connectivity of Small Giant Clams (Tridacna maxima) in the Southern Pacific Ocean
2024
Nevatte, Ryan J.; Gillings, Michael R.; Morejohn, Kirby; Ainley, Lara; Liggins, Libby; Pratchett, Mo...
Journal Publication Open Access ResearchOnline@JCU
Impacts of ocean warming on the settlement success and post‐settlement survival of Pacific crown‐of‐thorns starfish (Acanthaster cf. solaris)
2023
Lang, Bethan J.; Caballes, Ciemon F.; Uthicke, Sven; Doll, Peter C.; Donelson, Jennifer M.; Pratchet...
Journal Publication Open Access ResearchOnline@JCU
Increasing densities of Pacific crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster cf. solaris) at Lizard Island, northern Great Barrier Reef, resolved using a novel survey method
2023
Chandler, Josie F.; Burn, Deborah; Caballes, Ciemon F.; Doll, Peter C.; Kwong, Sarah L.T.; Lang, Bet...
Journal Publication Open Access ResearchOnline@JCU
Induction of larval settlement in crown-of-thorns starfish is not mediated by conspecific cues
2023
Doll, Peter C.; Uthicke, Sven; Caballes, Ciemon F.; Patel, Frances; Gomez Cabrera, Maria del C.; Lan...
Journal Publication Open Access ResearchOnline@JCU
Settlement cue selectivity by larvae of the destructive crown-of-thorns starfish
2023
Doll, Peter C.; Uthicke, Sven; Caballes, Ciemon F.; Diaz-Pulido, Guillermo; Abdul Wahab, Muhammad A....
Journal Publication Open Access ResearchOnline@JCU
Effects of elevated temperature on the performance and survival of pacific crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster cf. solaris)
2022
Lang, Bethan J.; Donelson, Jennifer M.; Caballes, Ciemon F.; Uthicke, Sven; Doll, Peter C.; Pratchet...
Journal Publication Open Access ResearchOnline@JCU
Larval settlement in echinoderms: a review of processes and patterns
2022
Doll, Peter C.; Caballes, Ciemon F.; Hoey, Andrew S.; Uthicke, Sven; Ling, Scott D.; Pratchett, Morg...
Journal Publication Open Access ResearchOnline@JCU
Habitat specialisation and overlap in coral reef gobies of the genus Eviota (Teleostei: Gobiidae)
2021
Doll, Peter C.; Munday, Philip L.; Bonin, Mary C.; Jones, Geoffrey P. (2021) 'Habitat specialisation. Marine Ecology-Progr, 677 :81-94. [DOI] ...
Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
Knowledge Gaps in the Biology, Ecology, and Management of the Pacific Crown-of-Thorns Sea Star, Acanthaster sp., on Australia's Great Barrier Reef
2021
Pratchett, Morgan S.; Caballes, Ciemon F.; Cvitanovic, Christopher; Raymundo, Maia L.; Babcock, Russ...
Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
DNA-based detection and patterns of larval settlement of the corallivorous crown-of-thorns sea star (Acanthaster sp.)
2021
Doll, Peter C.; Messmer, Vanessa; Uthicke, Sven; Doyle, Jason R.; Caballes, Ciemon F.; Pratchett, Mo...
Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
Metabolic responses of Pacific Crown-of-Thorns sea stars (Acanthaster sp.) to acute warming
2021
Lang, Bethan J.; Donelson, Jennifer M.; Caballes, Ciemon F.; Doll, Peter C.; Pratchett, Morgan S. (2...
Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
Territoriality and condition of chevron butterflyfish (Chaetodon trifascialis) with varying coral cover on the great barrier reef, Australia
2021
Thompson, Cassandra A.; Hoey, Andrew S.; Montanari, Stefano R.; Messmer, Vanessa; Doll, Peter C.; Pr...
Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
Microscopic starfish and how to find them: Developing a molecular-based approach to measure crown-of-thorns-starfish settlement rates
2023
Doll, Peter (2023) 'Microscopic starfish and how to find them: Developing a molecular-based approach Reef in Review, 2023 :48-49. ...
Journal Contribution ResearchOnline@JCU
Biophysical Processes Involved in the Initiation and Spread of Population Irruptions of Crown-of-Thorns Starfish on the Great Barrier Reef
2024
Pratchett, Morgan S.; Chandler, Josie F.; Choukroun, Severine M.; Doll, Peter C.; Lang, Bethan J.; K...